The government has decided to give everyone aged over 70 who has paid for Hajj and has been in the Hajj queue for three years the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage next year, in 1448 AH.
The decision was announced at a joint press conference held by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Maldives Hajj Corporation. Officials said the move aims to enable elderly people in the queue to perform the obligatory Hajj as soon as possible and to remove concerns that they may lose the chance to do so after waiting for a long period.
Officials said the policy will be implemented in an orderly manner based on age and the date each person secured a place in the queue, describing it as a principle that can be applied fairly to everyone. Under the policy, the opportunity will be given to those who paid for Hajj by 31 December 2023 and who will turn 70 by 31 December 2026.
Under the new arrangement, 324 people aged over 70 will get the opportunity to perform Hajj in 1448 AH, of whom 86 are aged over 75.
Officials also said the change will not delay Hajj for those aged between 65 and 69, and that among those who paid together with family members, priority will be given so that a family member in the Hajj queue does not lose the opportunity to travel together.
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